Thursday, April 1, 2010

Day 4, April 1, 2010

There's a great rush in writing a story that has you excited. It's a similar feeling to reading a book you can't put down, only better, because you're seeing the story from the inside, and when you're really immersed in the writing, it's all around you like 3D from 360 degrees.

I sometimes criticize my daughter's writing for using overly long sentences, and then I write something like the line above. Oh, well. Sorry, my dear.

The other thing that's different from reading a book you can't put down is writing wears you—or at least me—out a lot sooner. People who don't know better think writing is not hard work. Doesn't look like much, just pecking away at a keyboard. But creating and populating your own little world is hard work. This is certainly in sync with Christian theology, what with God taking a break on the seventh day—and seeing what he had done was good.

I'm pretty happy with what I've accomplished so far, too. Some new story lines were begun today and previous ones are picking up speed. If I'm judging things right, I think readers who have enjoyed my previous books will be well engaged by now. I've kept up my 2,000+ words pace per day and only four days into the work, I estimate that I'm approximately 5% finished with the first draft. Might seem like there's a long way to go, but working at a steady pace—and getting a good night's sleep—makes the project less psychologically daunting.